It takes six of us to carry the monster back to the cashier's hut. Caleb and I end up directly across from each other, and every time a glance up happens, he's already watching me with that same unreadable expression from before.
At the register, the cashier, a woman in her fifties in a Christmas sweater featuring a light-up Rudolph, looks amused as ten university guys each pull out cash for their share of one tree.
"You boys from the university?" she asks as she counts bills.
"Yes, ma'am," Drew replies. "The Delta Psi Omega fraternity."
"A Fraternity tree, huh? That's a first for me."
"We're making memories," Gavin explains earnestly.
Caleb catches my eye across the counter and mouths "Help me" with such desperation that I have to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
"Alright, your tree's paid for," the cashier says. "Just head around back, and Liam will help you wrap it for transport."
'Liam' turns out to be six-foot-something of flannel-wearing, bearded masculinity who looks like he stepped out of a lumberjack calendar. He expertly wraps our tree in netting, muscles flexing beneath his rolled-up sleeves.
"You boys need help securing this to your vehicle?" he asks, his gaze lingering on Caleb a beat too long.
"We've got it," Gavin assures him while Tyler and Rick hold each other up as they snicker. I guess we found our Christmas lumberjack without trying.
"Please let me know if you need a hand," Liam says, still looking at Caleb. "With anything at all," he stresses.
An unexpected surge of irritation rises. Before thinking better of it, I step closer to Caleb, my hand finding the small of his back.
"Thanks, we're good." My voice is sharper than it should have been.
Liam's eyes flick between us, and he nods with a small smile. "Enjoy your tree."
As we maneuver the tree toward the parking lot, Gavin sidles up beside me. "Somebody's territorial," he singsongs under his breath.
"It's called being a good boyfriend."
"Uh-huh. And the death glare was for what?"
"Shut up, Gavin."
"Make me, Webmaster," he says, grinning broadly. "I think it's cute how protective you're getting."
I’m saved from responding by the logistics of strapping an eleven-foot tree to the roof of Gavin's truck. It takes all of us, plus rope, bungee cords, and a lot of swearing to secure it properly. By the time we're done, the sun is setting and the temperature is dropping.
"Phase one complete!" Drew announces. "Now we head back for decorating and pizza."
We divide back into vehicles. Again, Caleb, Rick, and I end up in the backseat of Gavin's truck, squished even tighter than before to make room because Gavin needs all the room up front for his super-long legs.
Caleb and I are pressed together from shoulder to thigh, and I really like it.
"Cozy back there?" Gavin asks, adjusting his rearview mirror.
"Delightful," Caleb says flatly, though he doesn't try to create more space between us.
I can feel his warmth all along my side, and every bump in the road causes our legs to press together. This is the perfect time to be getting a chub. Trapped between Rick and my fake boyfriend, with nowhere to hide.Brilliant planning, dick.
When I look up, I catch Gavin watching us in the mirror, his eyebrows waggling suggestively. I glare back, but he grins wider.
"What's so funny?" Rick asks, noticing our silent exchange.
"Ask James," Gavin says, laughter in his voice.
